If Danny Rose leaves Tottenham, will he be blazing a trail for further disgruntled stars.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose is once again being linked with an exit this week.
From a footballing perspective, Tottenham can cope with Rose’s loss, thanks to the excellent form of Ben Davies, and a £50 million fee would enable them to sign a replacement and having money left over.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will be tempted to cash in, but before he does, he will clearly have to give it serious thought.
Holding him back will be the manner in which Danny Rose has gone about securing a potential exit from the club.
Rose gave a controversial interview to The Sun in August on the eve of the season, slamming the club’s wage policy, and questioning their ability to compete for trophies, also expressing a desire to move North.
The England international could not have given a clearer signal to interested clubs that he will consider a move, and with both Manchester United and Manchester City in need of a left-back, the defender could get his wish.
But this should make Levy uncomfortable about the potential precedent it sets.
If Rose departs, he will leave a blueprint behind on how to secure an exit from Tottenham, despite having signed a new contract just last year.
If Dele Alli, Eric Dier, or even Harry Kane one day decide they want out, for sporting or financial reasons, they too could decide to go public with their frustrations.
It is a dangerous game for any of them to play with the notoriously stubborn Levy, but if the Spurs chairman gives in this time, he could be opening the door to repeat scenarios.
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